The Task Force on the Recovery of Purported Auctioned Government Property, appointed by Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, has announced its intention to publish the names of individuals who have allocated government lands and properties to themselves without following due process. The committee has uncovered cases of unauthorized occupation and has urged the offenders to vacate the premises immediately. Failure to comply will result in the publication of their names in national newspapers, following official notification.
Nde Isaac Wadak, Chairman of the Committee, revealed in a statement co-signed by Secretary Barr. Pam Gyang, that the task force is determined to reclaim the unlawfully acquired government property. The committee has received inventories and reports on numerous lands, equipment, vehicles, and other movable assets belonging to the government. The committee has already begun the physical retrieval of government property and vehicles from those who have voluntarily complied with the appeal to return the items.
Speaking to the media, Nde Wadak emphasized the committee’s mandate to identify and recover government property that has been unlawfully auctioned, boarded, or possessed. He stated that letters have been sent to individuals who are allegedly in possession of such property, requesting their immediate return to make way for the new officers occupying those offices. The committee appeals to those still holding government property to promptly return them to avoid public disgrace.
Nde Wadak stressed the financial implications of the situation, highlighting the significant costs associated with acquiring new vehicles under the current economic circumstances. He urged those responsible for the unlawful possession of government property to reconsider their actions and return the items without delay. He further explained that the government lacks sufficient vehicles for official use and cannot use public funds to replace what has been wrongfully taken.
The committee reiterated that the exercise is not intended to target or witch-hunt any individual, emphasizing that the level of response and compliance from the public will determine whether the acts were sabotage or deliberate. The Task Force commended the citizens of Plateau State for their valuable contributions in providing information that has aided the committee in fulfilling its mandate.
In a related development, last week, the task force successfully recovered nineteen vehicles from individuals who had unlawfully held them. The committee also conducted visits to various locations, including the Plateau Agricultural Development Board, the Government Green Area around Yelwa Club in Bukuru, and Kara Market in Kugiya, Jos South Local Government Area. These visits aimed to assess allegations of illegal land sales and unauthorized structures built in those areas, particularly concerning the officials of the Cattle Sellers Association of Nigeria, Plateau State Chapter.